My top five reads of 2023

As 2023 nears its end, it’s time to announce my TOP FIVE favourite books of the year! I’ve experienced quite the reading yo-yo over the last 12 months, but I reached my reading goal for the first time in ages and really enjoyed myself doing so. So come and check out my list of favourites and share your top reads of 2023!! →

My reading year

As 2023 nears its end, it’s time for me to look back on what my year has been like on the reading front and to compile a list of my favourite reads. And I must say, I’ve experienced quite the reading yo-yo over the last 12 months! There were months I read a lot and months I read nothing at all (see graph below), but I’m very pleased to announce I met my reading goal for the first time since 2020. 😀

It remains to be seen where I’ll get through any more books in the last week of the year, but at the time of writing this post, I have read a total of 22 books in 2023. According to Goodreads, my average rating is 4.6 out of 5, but then, I didn’t actually rate every book I read. If you love bookish statistics, you can check out my year in books on Goodreads.

Now, let’s get onto what this post is really about: my top five reads of the year. These are the books I enjoyed the most, and you’ll find them listed below. As usual, my main rule for for this list is that I can’t put more than one book from the same series on there—that keeps things diverse and interesting! Don’t forget to comment on what YOUR favourite reads of 2023 were.

The top five books

THE CALL OF THE SEA by Kate Schumacher

Once, the world was ruled by those with magic in their blood. But once was a long time ago. When a Witchfinder tricks Jenyfer into revealing her magic, she, the Chif’s son Arthur, and the charming pirate Ordes, are propelled into games that have been eons in the making. Now it falls to them to shape the fate of the world.

Genre: high fantasy

Series: The Grail Cycle #1

My thoughts: Arthurian legend reimagined…

Read my review

A GRIM AND SUNKEN VOW by Ashley Shuttleworth

The era of Spring is over. After the bloody coup on the solstice, Arlo is forced to use her power to summon the rest of the seven deadly sins. Aurelian and Vehan, torn apart, struggle to survive on their own. And Celadon’s secret plans are made all the more complicated when the beautiful and deadly Lethe takes an interest in him.

Genre: low fantasy | LGBTQ+ | YA-NA

Series: The Hollow Star Saga #3

My thoughts: Best book in the series yet!

Read my review

THE TERAS TRIALS by Lucien Burr

Monstrous Teras ravage England. Only London is safe. Cassius Jones applies for the University, which runs the city and allows graduates and their family to live behind the wards. There, he must contend with every other student vying for a place, and the darkest secrets of his society, while balancing his tenuous interest in another boy.

Genre: fantasy horror | LGBTQ+

Series: The Teras Threat #1

My thoughts: Oh. My. God. This book SCARRED me.

Read my review

THE KINGS OF NOWHERE by C.G. Drews

Avery Lou has given up stealing houses. Forced to stay with the De Lainey family until Sam’s return from juvie, he hates working in their construction company while the thief who hurt his brother walks free. Avery is determined to sabotage his time with the De Laineys. He just has to stay immune to Jeremy’s shenanigans...

Genre: contemporary | LGBTQ+ | YA

Series: The Boy Who Steals Houses #2

My thoughts: Gut-wrenching—in a good way.

Read my review

FLAMEGATE by Kate Mac

Ever since the mysterious, dangerously powerful energy inside him was cut in two, Phoenix has been trapped between two bodies, living in two worlds, never able to sleep. Now, the clock is ticking. Worlds are colliding. And not Phoenix knows all too well that no one brave enough to oppose Flamegate has ever survived.

Genre: science fiction

Series: (duology)

My thoughts: A timey-wimey masterpiece!

Book 1

Book 2